Page 36 of Forbidden Dreams

“Hello,” Harmony answers, putting the phone to her ear. “I’m so sorry to bother you on a Sunday, but I thought you should know.”

“Speaker,” I tell her, and she puts the phone on speaker.

“What the hell happened?” Ryleigh hisses out, and Harmony fills her in.

“I need the report number, and I need any pictures you have sent to me right now. I’m going to ask for a restraining order until we go to court,” she declares, and I can hear how pissed she is. “Also, I’m going to push to get an earlier date.”

“Okay,” Harmony agrees. “Do you think it’s okay to go back to my house?”

“Honestly,” Ryleigh replies, “no.” I fold my arms over my chest. “If he’s the type of man I think he is, he couldn’t care less that he’s not supposed to be near you. He’s going to do it because he’s a spoiled-rotten man-child who has never been told no.”

“Wow.” Harmony laughs, and I almost close my eyes and say a little thank-you that this hasn’t broken her. “It’s like you’ve already met him.”

“I grew up in Hollywood.” She laughs. “They are on every single corner. Get me the things I asked for, and let me know where you are staying.”

“I’m staying at my neighbor’s house,” she says softly. “He’s also my boss.”

“Is there more?” she asks, and I wait for her to answer. “Doesn’t matter, to be honest.”

“I don’t want to drag him into this,” Harmony adds, and now I laugh along with Ryleigh.

“Then you shouldn’t have gone to his house,” Ryleigh replies, almost laughing. “Regardless, I’ll let you know what’s going on.”

“Thank you,” she says and hangs up. “Did you hear that?” She points at the phone.

“I’m right here, baby.” I don’t move from my spot as she walks back over to the sink.

“It’s not a good idea that I’m here,” she says, wiping down the counters. “We should leave.”

“That’s not at all what she said,” I refute. “She said it didn’t matter, and she also said that he’s a douchebag, so he’ll show up at your door.” I look up and hear the bathroom door open. “That said, I’m going to get dressed and take Wyatt fishing.” She inhales. “I’m going to need your keys.”

“For?”

“I’m leaving you here all alone. If he comes back, he’ll see your car is not there and leave. If it’s there, he’ll probably come and find you here,” I fill her in. “I have an alarm system. I’ll show you how to arm it once we leave.”

“Okay.” I can see the exhaustion all over her face.

“Why don’t you do that after and just go lie down,” I suggest, and she shakes her head.

“It’ll take me the same amount of time to clean up that it takes you to get dressed.” I nod, turning and walking back up the stairs to the bedroom. I slip on jeans and a T-shirt before going to brush my teeth. She is not lying. When I get back downstairs, the kitchen is spotless, as if she didn’t bake a million cakes today.

Wyatt is standing by the door, bouncing off the walls. “Ready?” I ask. He jumps up and down, and I can’t help but smile.

“Here,” she says, handing me a wrapped cake. “It’s a new flavor. Give it to Autumn.” She smiles. “Just don’t, you know.”

“I know.” I am about to bend and kiss her lips but remember Wyatt is here, so I look over my shoulder. “Come and say bye to your mom,” I tell him, and he comes over, gives her a hug, and runs out of the house.

“See you later.” I kiss her lips and point at the alarm panel. “Two, four, one, seven, stay.” She nods at me. “At all times, I’ll disarm it when I come back.”

“Okay,” she agrees, closing the door but watching through the window as I walk to her car. I stop at Charlie’s place with Wyatt, give Autumn the cake, and then grab a couple of the kids’ fishing poles he has for his nieces and nephews when they come to visit.

We get to the spot my father always took me to, seeing a couple of people out and trying to catch something. We walk over to the edge. “Careful not to get too close,” I warn him. “Do you know how to swim?” I ask, and he nods.

“Mom taught me this summer,” he informs me as I set down the tackle box. I look at him and smile.

“She’s pretty cool,” I say, and he smiles at me. “Which one do you want?” I ask of the poles I have.

“This one.” He picks up a blue-and-green one as I grab the bucket of earthworms that Charlie also had.